Caring For Fall Mums

HOW TO GROW AND CARE FOR FALL MUMS

A very popular plant for late season color is fall mums, also called "Garden mums" or "Hardy mums". Fall mums were once known as Chrysanthemums, but taxonomists have recently changed their botanical name to Dendranthema x grandiflora. Fall mums are available in a wide selection of colors, flower types, shapes and sizes. They are a low maintenance, easy to grow plant that can be kept in containers or grown in beds. They are drought resistant and generally free of insect and disease pests.

PLANTING
Most fall mums are purchased and planted from late August into September. They prefer to be planted in an area that receives full sun, but most cultivars can get by with a half day of direct sunshine. For ultimate growth, plant your new fall mums in fertile well- drained soil. Poorly drained soil is the leading cause of winter mortality. Young plants in small containers should be planted 18-24 inches apart. Mature plants can be planted at any desired spacing providing they are planted no closer than just touching their neighbor. Fall mums in containers need to be planted in the ground BEFORE the first hard frost !

WATERING
Fall mums should never be allowed to wilt…especially newly transplanted plants. Check your mums every other day for watering until you become familiar with their needs, particularly during dry spells. Be sure to thoroughly water-in your new transplants

FERTILIZING

Newly planted fall mums will not require any fertilizer this season. During the next growing season begin feeding your mums as new growth emerges with Schultz fertilizer. Feed your plants at least monthly until August.

OVERWINTERING
After several hard frosts have blackened the plants, cut them back to within one inch of the soil. Mulch to a depth of 3-4 inches. The purpose of mulching is to keep the soil frozen.

REGROWING…the following Spring
Once your fall mums start re-growing, remove the old stems. Start feeding every month until August., To encourage branching and compact bushy growth it is important to pinch the plants in the early spring. Once the plant has reached 4- 6 inches, remove 1-2 inches of the new growth on every shoot. After the plants have grown 3-5 inches from the first pinching, it is time to pinch again (1-2 inches). Stop pinching your plants around mid-July. This may seem like a drastic measure, but come fall you will be rewarded with compact bushy plants that are robust with flowers. Your mums can be divided every two years in early spring.

ORNAMENTAL CABBAGE AND KALE

Plant these beauties now and watch them grow and change colors as the temperatures become cooler. These hardy plants will become bright purple, white and green and will shine through even when the snow starts to fly ! Pair them up with Fall Mums, pumpkins, cornstalks and scarecrows for the ultimate Fall display!

FALL IS A GREAT TIME TO DECORATE YOUR HOME. THERE ARE ENDLESS POSSIBILITIES WITH AL OF THE GREAT CHOICES YOU WILL FIND HERE AT PHELPS NURSERY!

The season has changed here at Phelps Nursery. We have just received all new stock of shade and ornamental trees and are offering deep Fall discounts so that you can fill your landscape with unique, top quality plants now for a beautiful Spring show! We have gorgeous trees with Fall color and blooms, such as Crimson King Maples, Red Sunset Maples, Eastern Redbuds, Forest Pansy Redbuds, Dogwoods, Cherries, Pears and the hard to find specimens such as Sourwood, Gingko Biloba, Katsuratree, Autumn Flowering Cherry and Espaliers. Now is the time to visit us and experience our all new Fall displays with a great selection of trees, shrubs and perennials. We offer delivery and planting along with many other services to insure your planting success !

We have everything you need to decorate your home (inside and outside) this season. All sizes and colors of hardy fall mums are just the beginning of your Fall displays. We stock straw bales in three different sizes, scarecrows galore, large cornstalks, Indian Corn, bows, flags, Thanksgiving items and so much more! Check out the Fall Décor/Gift Shop page for great ideas on decorating your home. Also visit us on FaceBook for daily pictures and ideas. We are extremely proud of our HUGE selection of Pumpkins , Gourds and Squashes! We have many specialty varieties such as whites, blues, greens, reds, warties and Peanut Pumpkins so that you can create unusual displays and be the envy of the neighborhood. We have many unique and unusual Seasonal decorations and gifts. We also show our "Pittsburgh Pride" with a great Steeler and Penguin Black & Gold décor section. Halloween is always so much fun here at Phelps Nursery ! Our HAUNTED ROOM is always a favorite for the young and old alike. Be ready to be entertained by all of our life-size monsters and ghouls and stroll through the Graveyard for scary surprises !

Halloween decorating has become as popular as Christmas decorating and we have everything you need to decorate your home, both inside and outdoors for Fall, Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas. We would love to meet you and here your ideas on decorating and what your Holiday traditions include.

Please always remember that Phelps Nursery is passionate about plants and people. Our goal is to educate you and provide you with high quality plants and decorating items to transition your home from season to season. We are open year round to help you enjoy ALL seasons! Phelps Nursery is THE PLACE "Where Every Lawn & Garden Should Begin" AND "Where Every Season Should Begin" 

FALL IS FOR PLANTING !

Fall is the best time to plant trees, shrubs and perennials. The cooler temperatures mean less watering and less stress on the plants. The plants will have plenty of time to grow a great root system before the ground freezes which means a stronger, healthier plant next year. You can continue planting through mid-October. Here at Phelps Nursery we restock fresh, new stock even now so that you have the same great choices as in Spring. Fall is also the best time to take advantage of GREAT Sales and Discounts, so plan next years' landscape now and SAVE !